Wave and tide motor



(Nd Model.)

B. m HM OE Lm L ID MM n A W No. 443,367. Patented Dec. 23, 1890;

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LEIVIS M. LLOYD, OF SAN BUENAVEN"URA, CALIFORNIA.

WAVE AND TIDE MOTOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 443,367, dated December 23, 1890.

Application filed August 22, 1890. Serial No. 362,758. (N0 model.) I

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LEWIS M. LLOYD, a citizen of the United States, residing at San Buenaventura, in the county of Ventura, State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Wave and Tide Motors, of which the followingis a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in devices adapted to utilize the power exerted by the waves of the sea. I aim at the production of a device whereby the buoyant as well as the current power of the waves is utilized. I have devised a novel form of float by which the greatest power is obtained, and which automatically adjusts itself to the varying motions of the waves, and which automatically changes its position in its to-and-fro movements, so as to offer the least possible resistance to its return to its normal position after having been forced shoreward by the incoming wave. I pivot the float to rocking suspension arms or rods. I connect the said arms or rods with the pistons, so as to utilize the two movements of the float shoreward' and seaward.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear, and the novel features thereof will be specifically defined by the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, which, with the letters of reference marked thereon, form apart of this specification, I have shown what I at present consider the preferable way of carrying out my invention.

In the said drawings, Figure 1 is a side view looking at the end of the float. Fig. 2 is a front View looking shoreward.

Like letters of reference indicate like parts in both views.

For the fulcrum in. my device I employ a horizontal support suitably anchored and extending seaward a sufficient distance to enable me to suspend the float at such a distance from the shore as to obtain the best effect of the waves thereon. The distance this supportextends from the shore may be varied. The form of support may be varied.

The preferable form is that shown in the drawings, which is a cantalever-bridge, which form of support is preferred, asit leaves the space beneath the same unobstructed, and the greatest power of the waves is obtained. IVhere piles and other like obstructions are employed, they break the force of the waves and render the water light and of little power; but although this form of support is preferred I wish it distinctly understood that where in the following claims I include the term support I do not restrict myself to the form shown.

B is the float. It is formed of any suitable material and of any preferred length and diameter. The form of float which I have found best adapted to the purpose is substantially like that shown in Fig.1,which in cross-section is substantially rectangular, with rounded corners and longitudinal concavities, as clearly shown in Fig. 1. This is the preferred form, 'although good results maybe obtainedif the sides are flat or of other shape, instead of being concaved. Hence, although I claim this form as novel, I do not wish to restrict myself to this particular form in connection with the other parts of the invention, and therefore where in the claims I employ the term float I wish to be understood as not limiting myself to this exact form unless specifically defined in the claims. I prefer this form of float, however, for the reason that the concavities are of substantially the form the waves assume as they approach the shore, so that the full force thereof is utilized better than if sharp corners were presented, which would tend to break up the waves and destroy their force. Less resistance is also offered to the return of the float to its normal position after having been forced inward by the wave. This is effected by the peculiar manner of pivotally suspending the float from the support A.

I have spoken of but one float; but it will be understood that more than one may be employed without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages. A single float, however, of suitable length and diameter is preferred, asit lessens the parts necessary, and hence the liabilityto become inoperative or damaged.

The float is suspended from the support A by means of the rods or arms 0, which at their lower ends are pivotally connected with the ends of the floats at diametrically-opposite corners thereof, as shown in Fig. 1. This connection may be formed in any suitable manner. I have shown the rods as provided with eyes or loops which encircle the stub axles or pins to on said float. The rods or arms are crossed, as shown, and their upper ends are connected with the transverse shafts D, which are journaledin suitable boxes or bearings Z) on the upper ends of the uprights c, secured to the outer end of the support A, as seen in Fig. 2. On these shafts D, preferably at their longitudinal centers, are secured the vertical arms E, which are connected at their upper ends by the bar F, which has pivotal connection therewith at its ends, as seen in Fig. 1.

The operation will be readily understood from the above description, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. Normally the float hangs in the position shown in full lines in Fig. 1 substantially perpendicular. As the approaching wave strikes the float, it forces the same shoreward, the pivotal connection with the suspension-rods permitting the float to turn on its pivots, so that at all times abroad front is presented to the wave, as will be understood from the dot ted lines in Fig. 1, and it receives the full force of the wave without being overwhelmed. As the wave leaves the float, the latter returns to its normal position, turning gradually baek to its normal position and offering the minimum resistance to such return.

The power obtained may be utilized in various ways. I have shown two forms in the drawings. I have shown the bar F provided with lateral projections f, to which pistonrods may be attached for the purpose of pump ing, or other connection may be made with said bar. In Fig. 1 I have shown an engine G, the pistonsof which are connected by suitable jointed rods with the vertical arms E, so that the pistons will be reeiprocated at each forward and back movement of the said arms as they are actuated by the float. Other means may be devised for utilizing the power obtained by my novel arrangement of float and suspension-rods.

My peculiar arrangement of parts permits the float to automatically adjust itself to the rise and fall of the tide. As the tide rises, the float also rises, of course assuming that, as shown in full lines in Fig. 1, the float is set for low tide, assuming a position away from the perpendicular. As the tide rises the length of stroke will be less. As it falls the stroke will be greater.

IVhere in the following claims I refer to the float as adapted to be moved on the pivot at the point of contact of the wave, or as pivotally connected with its support near its point of rest upon the water, I Wish to be understood as covering construction where the float is arranged to move angularly to and within the area of contact of a wave there with.

'hat I claim as new is 1. In a tide and wave motor, a support, pivoted practically vertical suspension-bars supported therefrom, and a float pivotally connected with the said bars, substantially as specified.

.3. In a wave and tide motor, a horizontal support, crossed suspension-bars, and a float pivotally connected with the lower ends of said bars, substantially as specified.

In a wave and tide motor, a support, transverse shafts, suspension-bars pivotally connected therewith and extended beyond their pivots, a float pivotally connected with the lower ends of the bars, and means for transmitting power from the said shafts, as set forth.

1. In a wave and tide motor, the combination, with a support, as A, of the transverse shafts suitably journaled, the arms secured to the shafts, the crossed suspension-bars secured to the ends of the shafts, and the float pivotally connected with the lower ends of the said bars, substantially as specified.

5. In a wave and tide motor, a pivotallysuspended float having concave acting faces, substantially as specified.

G. In a wave and tide motor, a float providcd with longitudinal concave channels and rounded corners, substantially as shown. and described.

7. In a wave and tide motor, a pivotallysuspended float formed with longitudinal rounded channels and rounded corners, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

8. In a wave and tide motor, a float pivoted to present its surface flatly against the wave in one direction and inclinedly in the opposite direction of the travel of the float bodily, as set forth.

9. In a wave and tide motor, a float adapted to be moved on its pivot at the point of contact of the float with the wave, as set forth.

10. In a wave and tide motor, a float pivotally connected with its support near the point of rest of the float upon the water, as set forth.

11. In a wave and tide motor, a eantaleversupport combined with transverse shafts journaled in suitable bearings thereon, arms secured to said shafts, suspension-bars secured to said shafts, and a float pivotally connected with the lower ends of said rods, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

12. In a wave and tide motor and in combination with the float and its suspension means, transverse shafts operated by the movement of the float, arms, as E, secured to the shafts, and a bar, as F, connecting the upper ends of said arms, as set forth.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

LIHVIS M. LLOYD.

Witnesses; I

L. C. IIILLS, l. SU'JI'IERLAND. 

